Episode Summary
Li Ting tricks Jin An and tries to take him to the capital, but the plan is interrupted by an attack that forces Jin An to reveal his powers. Li Ting returns, earning Li Shuang's anger and respect. As Li Ting prepares to leave, he bonds with Jin An and shares details about Li Shuang's past with Su Muyang. Meanwhile, a new political threat emerges as the Emperor sends a hostile supervisor, under orders from Su Mulai, to the border with instructions to kill Li Shuang if she resists.
Spoiler Alert
A Bromance Built on Lies
You know things are getting messy when a kidnapping attempt starts with a sworn brotherhood ceremony. This episode really delivered on the drama.
The Drugged Wine
Li Ting is having a moment. He learns that Jin An was the one who saved him from Huo Du. So, he does the most logical thing. He runs off to become sworn brothers with Jin An. Jin An tries to turn him down. But Li Ting is feeling a lot of feelings. He admits he never got much approval from his father or Li Shuang. Talking with Jin An made him feel some warmth.
He makes Jin An an offer. Become his brother, and he'll spill all of Li Shuang's secrets. That gets Jin An's attention. He agrees and officially accepts Li Ting as his little brother. They seal the deal with a drink. Then Jin An immediately collapses. It turns out Li Ting drugged the wine.
The Roadside Ambush
Li Ting loads the unconscious Jin An onto a carriage. His plan is to drag him back to the capital. He knows Jin An killed Huo Du. He thinks that handing him over will make the Emperor less suspicious of the Li family. His heart was in the right place, sort of. He genuinely wanted to be brothers with Jin An. But he also had a plan.
Before they can get very far, Jin Wujian shows up with his crew. They want Jin An back. Apparently, Jin An's fusion with something called the Jade Exquisite isn't stable. Jin An wakes up in the middle of this standoff. He tells Li Ting he won't hurt him. He also tells him not to tell Li Shuang what he's about to see. Then Jin An transforms and single-handedly drives off all the attackers. Li Ting just stares. He's completely in awe.
Family Business
Back at the camp, people are starting to notice that two key players are missing.
Li Ting Grows Up
Li Shuang realizes her brother and Jin An are gone. She's about to ride out after them when Li Ting shows up. He's back to admit he was wrong. Li Shuang is furious that he put himself in so much danger. But she's also a little proud. Li Ting was trying to do something for their family. He was acting like a man. She has to admit that her little brother isn't a kid anymore.
A Brother's Parting Gift
Li Ting has decided to leave. Before he goes, he wants to do something nice for his sister. He ropes Jin An into helping him make her favorite pastries, peach blossom crisps. While they bake, Li Ting tells Jin An to look after Li Shuang. He talks about how she never had a normal childhood. He also mentions she almost had a chance with Su Muyang, but the Emperor made him marry someone else. Jin An files that little piece of information away.
They give the pastries to Li Shuang. They also give her a biography that Su Muyang had sent. Li Shuang looks at Jin An. She asks him again if he's sure he wants to stay here, where it's so dangerous. He promises he'll always protect her. She gets a strange look on her face. She says he reminds her of someone.
New Dangers on the Horizon
Just as things seem to be settling down, new problems pop up from different directions.
The Emperor's New Man
Some official in the capital decides to impeach Li Shuang. The Emperor responds by sending a man named Li Zhangyi to the border to "supervise" the Changfeng Army. Before Li Zhangyi leaves, he gets a private meeting with Su Mulai. Su Mulai has his own schemes going. He's been swapping out the Emperor's longevity medicine, hoping to make his own brother, Su Muyang, die first. He gives Li Zhangyi clear instructions. Make things difficult for the Changfeng Army. If Li Shuang pushes back, kill her.
